John Devotional | Week 6 | Oct 17-21

Read John 3:1-21. Today we’ll focus on the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus in v1-21. This is the first of multiple exchanges between Jesus and various individuals. Pay attention to who each person is, and the significance of their role (or lack thereof) in society and religious life.

• Who is Nicodemus? What does he know? What does he not know?
• How does Jesus answer each of his questions? What word repetitions do you notice?
• What observations does Jesus make about the wind? What connection does He make to those who are born again by the Spirit?
• Who has eternal life, according to this text?

Nicodemus brought his questions to the One he knew could answer them. What questions do you have for God? If you are trusting in Jesus, His Spirit is living and active within you — pray today in supplication, asking for understanding and insight into things you do not yet fully grasp or are currently wrestling with.

Read John 3:1-21 again, focusing on v16-21.

• What motivation does John cite for God the Father giving up His only Son?
• Who is invited to believe in the Son for eternal life?
• Who stands condemned, according to this text?
• What does this text teach us about human nature (v19-21)?

Pray today in confession for the ways your flesh still clings to the darkness, despite being brought into the light. Though eternal life is yours, in what ways have you walked in the darkness this week? Where does sin have a hold on you? His sacrifice was sufficient, and His mercy is new every morning!

Read John 3:1-21 again. Today we’ll examine a few Old Testament passages to shed light on some of Jesus’ statements.

• Jesus is amazed that Nicodemus doesn’t understand the need for people to be reborn by water and the Spirit (V5-10). What should Nicodemous, a teacher of the law (OT) and ruler in Israel have known? Read the following passages and record what you learn.
  • Isaiah 32:15-20
  • Isaiah 44:1-6
  • Ezekiel 36:24-28
• Jesus says that the Son of Man must be lifted up just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (V10-15). Read Numbers 21:4-9 to understand what event Jesus was referring to.
  • What was the purpose of the snake being lifted up in the wilderness?
  • Why is Jesus drawing on this story from Numbers as he talks to Nicodemus? What is he communicating to him? 

Pray today in adoration for the Son of God who was lifted up, by whom we are each given life, and life eternal. Pray in thanksgiving for His Spirit who has been poured out on each of us who believe. Immanuel, God with us – forever!

Read John 3:1-21 again. In v16, we are told that God “gave His one and only Son”. Read Genesis 22:1-19 and take note of the similar language to our text. verse 2, 12 and 16.

• Who is the Father in this story? Who is the “one and only son”?
• What happened to the “one and only son” in Genesis 22 (see verses 9-14)?
• In contrast, what will happen to God’s “one and only son” while He is on earth?
• Why does God allow this to happen to his “one and only son” according to John 3:16?

Pray today in thanksgiving for the way God has always provided a sacrifice for sin, and ultimately gave His only Son to be a sacrifice once for all.

• Later on in John 20:30-31, John outlines the purpose of his book: “these [signs] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” So each event that John records is building to this invitation – “whoever believes in the Son of God may have eternal life” (John 3:15).
  • Have you trusted in Jesus as the only way to eternal life? If not, re-read John 3:16 and consider accepting the invitation to believe today, freely receiving the gift of eternal life!
  • This text is clear: those who believe in the Son of God are saved, and those who do not are condemned. 

  Spend time in prayer for those in your life who have not yet trusted in the Son to save them.